After One Death and Wave of School Threats: Poland Inspects 10,000 Schools, Detains 10

Polish police have detained 10 people following a nationwide investigation into threats against schools, as authorities step up security at educational institutions after recent tragic incidents in the Mazovia region.

10,000 Facilities Inspected, 13 Incidents Identified

In a statement published on social media, Poland’s national police said officers had inspected more than 10,000 facilities and identified 13 incidents that raised suspicions of criminal offenses. Most of the 10 people detained are expected to face consequences for making criminal threats, according to the statement.

The investigation follows a wave of alarming reports, threats and online posts that police say have fueled public anxiety. Authorities also warned that some individuals had used the recent tragedies to spread misinformation or make inappropriate jokes online.

Police said officers across the country have been checking reports of threats, announcements of violence and other incidents that could endanger students and school staff. Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime is monitoring online activity around the clock, the statement added.

The most serious incidents took place in the Mazovia region, where police worked with prosecutors and psychologists to secure crime scenes and detain suspected attackers. 

Earlier this week, authorities detained a 17-year-old student who had allegedly told classmates he planned to “do something bad at school,” just hours after a separate attack at a school in the country left a 37-year-old employee dead.

In a third incident, a 19-year-old was detained near the municipal beach after allegedly attacking people with a sharp tool near and on school premises.

Increased Patrols, Meetings

Authorities say security measures will continue nationwide. Alongside increased patrols around schools, officers will take part in meetings with young people to discuss how to respond to dangerous situations.

Police also issued a warning about the consequences of making threats or falsely announcing an alarm or crime. Such statements can carry serious legal penalties, even when presented as jokes.

The force urged the public not to share unverified claims or repeat rumors circulating online, calling on people to rely on confirmed information and help limit disinformation.

The nationwide response highlights the pressure on authorities to investigate every report of potential school violence while preventing false information from escalating public concern.